Catching On: That's what fall camp is all about for Humboldt State football team

ARCATA -- The sun once again toasted the Redwood Bowl Saturday morning and, just like their first practice, the Jacks third one of the season featured heated competition.

From the various position groups, offense and defense, Humboldt State football players are knee deep in assimilating to the Jacks style of ball.

"We're so young, and we have so many new faces," Smith said. "They're still learning the routine, how it's done around here, and what the coaching staff expects. I'm encouraged by how hard they're already working. Everything they do, they're doing at full speed."

The growing pains were evident across the board. Mental and physical errors popped up at each position grouping. Camp is the place to make those mistakes, however, as coaches are on hand to not only offer direct and immediate criticism, but also direct and immediate instruction on how to avoid mishaps.

Preseason is all about catching on. The quicker a player adapts and hones his craft, the better his chances of seeing playing time.

THE PASS CATCHERS

Freshman Chase Krivashei is crisp route runner and the Centennial High product has a shot to be an instant contributor. The 5-foot-9 wideout has the hands to go along with his running as he hauled in 82 passes for 1,334 yards in his final prep season.

Fellow newcomer Kelechi Nwadibia -- a San Jose City College transfer -- is also a smooth operator. The 6-foot-1 receiver brings good size at 188 pounds with excellent speed.

Another junior college transfer, Aaron Dhuyvetter, is also looking to make his mark. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder from Mendocino Junior College is big and has soft hands (66, 1,362, 12 TDs in his final year at Mendo).

The trio joins returners Marquise Deadwiler and Brandon Kakitsuka.

Deadwiler is physically bigger but still has the speed and athleticism that made him a reliable target last season. The speedy Kakitsuka has grown with the program since coming in as a freshman from Del Norte High.

LOCALLY GROWN

Kakitsuka is part of a solid group of Humboldt-Del Norte Conference athletes now wearing Green and Gold.

"It's important to recruit locally. The community loves to watch local players succeed in our program," Smith said. "We're always looking for those players who fit in at our level, and we've been fortunate to have landed some outstanding athletes."

Ferndale alums Silas Sarvinski (junior) and Hunter Van Emmerik (freshman), along with Eureka's Jason Hanson (freshman) and St. Bernard's Travis (freshman) and Dexter Rice (redshirt freshman) join Kakitsuka to make up the group. The elder Rice, Dexter, switched from quarterback to wide receiver in hopes of seeing more playing time.

"I always expected to leave the area to go to college," Kakitsuka said. "But coach Smith called and convinced me to come to Humboldt. It turned out to be a great decision."

"When I was a freshman, my brother (Casey) and I were the only local players," said Sarvinski, now a senior. "It's great to have the area represented so well this year."

Humboldt strength and conditioning Drew Petersen, in particular, likes what he sees from Hanson.

"Josh took advantage of his local proximity and dove head first into the program this summer, getting a real leg up on other incoming freshman," Petersen said. "Josh put on almost 40 pounds of muscle from the end of his senior season of track to reporting for preseason camp on Wednesday. Over the course of the summer, Josh built himself into a college-ready football player."

SEE FOR YOURSELF

Smith and Co. are giving fans a look at the team via two scrimmages prior to the season-opener. The first is slated on Aug. 24 at 4 p.m. while the other is scheduled on Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m. Admission to both is free and open to the public.